[Studies on drug release from anti-cancer drug suspended Lipiodol]

In case of an arterial infusion chemoembolization therapy for primary or metastatic liver cancer, gradual release of the anti-cancer drug from lipiodol is a very important factor for a higher drug concentration in the tumor and for longer contact. We studied basic points about what kind of drug form has a gradual drug release. We prepared 3 forms of drugs. (1) Powder form: Powder of ADM, MMC and CDDP was suspended in lipiodol with ultrasonic suspender. (2) URO form: ADM and MMC were dissolved with Urografin and mixed with lipiodol. (3) Surfactant form: ADM and MMC were dissolved with water and then mixed with lipiodol using surfactant. We put lipiodol suspension into physiological saline and then stirred water at 100 rpm with the paddle method, measuring drug release from the suspension or emulsion. Powder form had a lowest drug release. In clinical trials, we administered intra-arterially (1) ADM, MMC dissolved with physiological saline water as usually used (physiological saline water form) (2) Powder form; (3) URO from; (1) CDDP solution as usually used was administered; (2) Powder form. Then we studied the changes of serum concentration of ADM, MMC and CDDP. The results indicated that powder form had the lowest drug release. Thus, the water-soluble anti-cancer drugs ADM, MMC and CDDP should be used in powder form.